FO371-46253 — Page 235

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Hory du

TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM.

RECEIVED BY 0.T.P.

FG112

IZ 8477.

TOO 2317012. TOR 231750Z.

/G

194

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MOST IMMEDIATE.

FROM:

J.S.M. WASHINGTON.

TO:

A.M.S.S.O.

JSM 16.

F5549/1147/5.

23rd. August 1945.

Reference COS(W) 74 and JSM 15F 59°28/1147/5

The United States Chiefs of Staff have shown us a copy of a telegram which Goneralissimo Chiang Kai Shek has sent to President Truman. In this letter the Generalissimo tells the President that he agrees to delegate his authority to accept tho surrender of Hong Kong to a British commander. He will arrange for a Chinese and American officer to take part in the surrender and has asked the British (1.e. in Chungking) to effect the coordination of operational matters with General Wedemeyer and his own staff.

2.

The information in the above paragraph seems to us to remove any cause for anxiety that the Chinese may forestall us in Hong Kong as a result of any delay in the despatch of the force. The main essential now would seem to be that our representatives in

Chungking should be kept in constant touch with Admiral Fraser's plans for the entry into Hong Kong, so that they can effect coordination in Chungking.

3.

It

We understand that the United States Chiefs of Staff are repeating the substance of Para. 1 to General MacArthur and General Wedemeyer. We have asked to be given a copy of the telegram when it is sent off and will repeat it to you as soon as we get it. seems that the despatch of this telegram will give MacArthur all the authority he needs to authorise the force to proceed to Hong Kong as soon as he judges the time is ripst

CIRCULATION.

Foreign Office. First Sea Lord. C.I.G.S. C.A.S.

TOO 231701Z.

Secretary of State Dominions. Secretary of State Colonies. Secretary of State India.

M.W.T.

Defence Office.

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